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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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AFA Update – April 10, 2020

In This Edition

  • Temporary Commuter Policy Expansion to Include Other Airlines
  • Reserve Bidding Information
  • Hawaii Turns
  • Pre-Cancellation (10.S) Quick Reference Flow Chart
  • AFL-CIO COVID-19 Resource Guide

Temporary Commuter Policy Expansion to Include Other Airlines

Master Executive Council (MEC)

In the wake of the significant flight schedule reduction throughout the airline industry, AFA and management have agreed to expand section 28.G [Domicile: Commuter Policy] of the JCBA to temporarily include flights operated on other airlines (OAL) in addition to flights operated by Alaska and Alaska capacity purchase agreement (CPA) flights operated by Horizon and Skywest.  The temporary agreement allows OALs to be used to meet the two consecutive scheduled flight requirement in section 28.G.1.b.  Registered air commuters utilizing this provision should be prepared to provide Crew Scheduling with relevant flight information for verification (e.g. air carrier, flight number, city pair, scheduled departure time, projected or actual departure time, reason for delay).

The temporary agreement is effective immediately and will remain in effect until May 31, 2020.  Registered air commuters are encouraged to review section 28.G. of the JCBA as well as AFA LOA 2020-04-07 [Commuter Policy and Utilizing Other Airline (OAL) Carriers During COVID-19 Schedule Disruptions] which details the specifics of the temporary expansion.  

Questions?

Please contact your LEC Officers with any questions about the temporary expansion of the commuter policy.

Reserve Bidding Information

Scheduling Committee–PBS Subcommittee 

Your AFA PBS Subcommittee wants to offer assistance to those of you who might be on reserve for the first time in many years OR for those of you choosing to bid a reserve line.  A Bidding for Reserve guide can be found at the inflight website under schedule & bidding > line bidding > PBS QA/Help.  The guide can also be accessed directly by clicking here.  

The PBS Subcommittee anticipates being extremely busy this month and will respond to emails as quickly as possible given the increased volume of correspondence. However, with the sheer number of people affected, there is no possible way to help everyone individually with entering a Reserve bid. Prior to contacting the PBS Subcommittee, please review the Bidding for Reserve guide.  It will likely answer most, if not all, of your questions and provides examples of multiple bidding scenarios.  

When the May lineholder and reserve numbers are posted on the PBS Info Page you will have a better idea where you fall in your base. Check your May bidding order number on the inflight website > Schedule and Bidding > Line Bidding > Seniority List. Compare your bidding number to the May numbers for your base on the PBS Info Page. This comparison will help you determine if you can possibly hold a line or will likely be on reserve. Some Flight Attendants senior to you may choose to bid for a reserve schedule but specific details such as “who?” or “how many?” will not be available this until bidding closes. 

The current situation is unprecedented in the history of our airline.  Your PBS Subcommittee  appeals to you to try and manage your bids on your own this month as the need for help will be unprecedented. 

Questions?

Please send all requests for assistance to the PBS Subcommittee group email at pbs.qa@alaskaair.com.  This group inbox is regularly monitored by all Subcommittee Members and will ensure that you receive the fastest possible response.  Alternately, you can also contact your Local Reserve Committee for assistance.

Hawaii Turns

Master Executive Council (MEC)

With the previously announced reduction in flying, Hawaii flying is being reduced to two daily roundtrips from the mainland—one from SEA and one from LAX.  AFA and management have agreed to continue operating Hawaii flying as turns through the end of June out of an abundance of caution and due to the State of Hawaii’s quarantine requirements.  Effective Thursday, April 16, these turns will be operated in accordance with AFA LOA 2020-04-10 [Hawaii Turns Due to COVID-19 Restrictions].  Key provisions of this LOA include:

  • The 4-person crew (A, B, C, and D position) will work both legs of the turn.
  • Turns will be augmented with two additional Flight Attendants; one of the additional Flight Attendants will work to Hawaii as an augmented crewmember (E position) and deadhead back to the mainland.  The other additional Flight Attendant will deadhead to Hawaii and work back to the mainland as an augmented crewmember.
  • All Flight Attendants will be paid two times (2.0x) the rate of pay for any TFP flown on a Hawaii turn.
  • For the remainder of April, F/As will receive compensatory “double-out” rest at the end of a Hawaii turn sequence.  Beginning in May, regular domicile rest will apply. 
  • Crew rest seats and breaks will be provided (see the LOA for specifics).
  • Reserves may be assigned Hawaii turns

The May bid packet will contain pre-built Hawaii turn sequences that are available for bidding through PBS.  Flight Attendants who would like to bid for these trips will need to opt-in using the corresponding “Allow Long Duty (4k) Pairings” waiver.

Questions?

If you have any questions about Hawaii turn sequences, please contact your LEC Officers or Local Scheduling Committee.

Pre-Cancellation (10.S) Quick Reference Flow Chart

Scheduling Committee

The number of changes being loaded into the flight schedule by management have driven a record amount of pre-cancellation activity over the past several weeks.  To help Flight Attendants better understand the provisions of section 10.S [Scheduling: Pre-Cancellations] of the JCBA along with the recently enacted AFA LOA 2020-03-28 [Pre-Cancellations Due to COVID-19 Schedule Changes], our Scheduling Committee has made a quick reference flow chart available outlining how pre-cancellations work.  You can access this flow chart by clicking here.

Note: The MEC wishes to thank MEC Inflight Training Committee Member Justin Wetherell for formatting the flow chart and the Local Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Members for providing valuable input and feedback.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding pre-cancellations, please contact your Local Scheduling Committee.

AFL-CIO COVID-19 Resource Guide

AFA and CWA are affiliated with the AFL-CIO, a voluntary federation of over 55 national and international labor unions.  The AFL-CIO has put together a state-by-state guide of resources, programs, and benefits available to workers affected by COVID-19.  You can find the guide on the AFL-CIO website under COVID-19 resources or by clicking here.

AFA Online Issue Reporting Is Here!

Your AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) is excited to introduce the new AFA Alaska online support center.  This new system is designed for you to document and report scheduling and reserve concerns, situations where you might be facing discipline, potential contractual grievances, and any other issue where you might need AFA support.  The system will also allow AFA representatives to better track issues that are occurring, identify trends, and address and resolve issues with management.

You can access the system using the following link:

http://support.afaalaska.org

Reporting New Issues

You can report a new issue in the system by opening a ticket, just follow these steps:

  1. Visit http://support.afaalaska.org/
  2. Click the blue “Open a New Ticket” button
  3. Fill in your personal information (including a non-company email address)
  4. Select the help topic that relates to the issue
  5. Fill in the issue-specific information and provide details

From this screen, you’ll also be able to attach pictures, PDF files, screenshots, and other information that will help your AFA representatives to have more information available about the issue.

Once you’ve opened a ticket, you’ll receive a confirmation email and with a ticket number.  Behind the scenes, your ticket will be assigned to an AFA representative who will assist you with the issue.

Checking on Open Issues 

With your ticket number, you’ll be able to track the status of the ticket online, add additional information and attachments for your AFA representative to have available.  To check on your ticket:

  1. Visit http://support.afaalaska.org
  2. Click the green “Check Ticket Status” button
  3. Enter your email address and ticket number
  4. Click the “View Ticket” button

Questions?

If you have any questions about the AFA online support center or need assistance with an issue, you can always contact your LEC Officers.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

[AS] Jeppesen Crew Access Update

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

This evening at 10 PM, the largest update for Crew Access to date will be installed.  The update, which should take approximately 40 minutes, includes a combination of fixes and new items.  Included are approximately 30+ fixes will directly affect our workgroup.

The most anticipated and long awaited installation is the ability for Reserves to Advertise and Trade in Crew Access. Reserves will no longer have to use the “Reserve Trading Board” after this evening.  Attached to this communication is a PDF which gives instructions on how to Advertise, Grab, Trade, Shift, and Split Reserve blocks and days.

Below is the list of the fixes and enhancements that are included in this evenings update.

  1. Will no longer see Pilot flying preferences when logging into Crew Access.
  2. Lineholder will no longer be able to self-assign trip longer than the reserve block picked up.
  3. Lock on last 5 days of month functional
  4. Hotel reservations no longer lost on call-out
  5. Server clocks are now synced
  6. FA now able to advertise SIP departing more than three hours out
  7. Quick Trip Report – TFP now showing and Times displayed
  8. Premium trips on Published Roster will now show 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 etc.
  9. Hotel information no longer lost on SIPs
  10. “Ignore” button added to Notification window in Crew Access
  11. Days will now show as limited at 10am day prior once self-assigning starts
  12. Sipped trips that do not report on same day as original trip will now show correct day and trip number
  13. Addition of vertical delineation between calendar days
  14. HomeBase filter will no longer show all bases
  15. LAX no longer listed as Co-Terminal on LTFA
  16. Charter rest rules being applied correctly
  17. Notifications that were acknowledged but still popping up will go away
  18. “HTTP method POST not supported” message resolved
  19. Issue of check in time same as departure resolved
  20. Limiting FAs to single session. If logged in twice, you will have some functionally in the first session but will NOT be able to process transactions.
  21. “Enter” key no longer functional when trying to complete consecutive trades

Reserve Specific Changes

  1. Ability to Grab, Trade, Split Reserve days now functional
    • Ability to Direct Trade multiple reserve blocks with another FA
    • Ability to Advertise end of month and/or beginning of next month’s reserve blocks individually.
    • Reserve FAs able to give away their FAS to another FA with the same reserve block and classification
    • Able to direct trade multiple reserve blocks
    • Able to grab multiple reserve blocks
  2. LTFA will recognize start time based on release time of previous trip. 11.5 hours and 9 hours if waived rest.
    • New FAs will now show on LTFA Report
  3. Standalone airport standbys will receive 5.0 TFP
  4. Reserves that self-assign Premium trips will no longer see “1.5, 2.0, 2.5” in Roster or “Premium” in Published Roster

After this installation, we will be receiving regular updates from Jeppesen every six weeks. We still have a laundry list of items and we have been working hard with Alaska Airlines management as well as Jeppesen management to resolve these issues quickly. We appreciate your patience and we will continue to advocate for Flight Attendants and use all resources available to ensure timely fixes.

If you have any questions about this update to Crew Access, please contact your Local Scheduling Committee.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Zac Weeks

Interim Reserve Trade Board Now Active

Management launched an online trade board as an interim solution to facilitate reserve trading as Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) does not support reserve trading at this time.  The trade board can be accessed from the Inflight website > Scheduling & Bidding > Reserve Trading Board.  Instructions for use of the reserve trade board were posted earlier today by management in informational bulletin #2017-0030 (Reserve Trading Board).

Though the interim reserve trade board will help reserve Flight Attendants to exercise their contractual right to trade, it does not solve the greater issue of a fully automated reserve trading system as required by the contract (section 11.H.7).  AFA will continue to take necessary steps through the grievance process to compel management to comply with this requirement and the remainder of our contract.

Questions?

If you have questions about the reserve trade board, please contact your Local Reserve Committee.  Contact information can be found on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill

Reserve Contractual Violations in Jeppesen Crew Access

The cutover to Jeppesen Crew Access has not been very kind to Reserves

The Master Executive Council (MEC) is very frustrated that the cutover from Jeppesen Maestro/eMaestro to Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) has not been very kind to Reserves. Although self-assignment has finally been implemented after a long delay (the original estimate was by the end of 2nd quarter 2016), there are numerous other reserve-specific contractual violations due to JCA. For the life of a Reserve, it has been one step forward and at least two steps back.

Reserve contractual grievances recently filed

AFA has recently filed the following Reserve-specific contractual grievances on your behalf:

  • 36-99-2-43-16 Violation of CBA §11.H.8 Reserve Exchange of Days, Pick-ups and Trades (January 4, 2017)
  • 36-99-2-6-17 Violation of §11.E Low Time First Available (LTFA) Out of Order Assignments January 31 to February 2, 2017 (February 10, 2017)
  • 36-99-2-7-17 Violation of §11.E Low Time First Available (LTFA) Out of Order Assignments Post Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) Cutover (February 10, 2017)
  • 36-99-2-10-17 Violation of §11.F.15, §11.H.7 & §11.H.8 Failure to Provide Automated Ability for Reserve Flight Attendants to Self-assign and Trade APSB (February 10, 2017)

Reserve-specific JCA updates

Management has been developing an interim reserve trade board to provide a platform for posting and trading reserve blocks/days until the function can be programmed in JCA. The MEC has been pushing management to get the interim trade board up and running as soon as possible. Based on recent progress, we are hopeful it will be available for use sometime this coming week.

Management has provided a disturbing estimate to AFA regarding implementation of the permanent reserve trade board. Right now management is saying April or so, which is completely unacceptable of course.

In slightly better news, management has informed the MEC that the ability to post and trade Airport Standby (APSB) may be functional by next week.

Scheduling notifications are active for Reserves

The MEC has received feedback that there may be confusion about whether or not the scheduling notifications are active for Reserves. They definitely are. That means if you accept the scheduling notification, Crew Scheduling has officially notified you of the scheduling event (e.g. reserve assignment, change to report time, et cetera). If you wish to decline the scheduling notification, you must click the little “X” in the corner of the notification window; then Crew Scheduling will contact you using the traditional methods (e.g. calling your number(s) on file, et cetera).

AFA will continue to push management to make the situation right

AFA will continue to advocate on behalf of the Reserves and push management to make the situation right as soon as possible. If the parties cannot reach an acceptable resolution to these violations, AFA is fully prepared to go to arbitration if necessary in order to defend our contract.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill; MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

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